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ld100
180
Oct 16, 2019
What are the best wireless IEM now?
ld100What’s the best color of the rainbow? 🌈 It’s hard to pick a particular “flavor” of Wireless IEMS for a stranger, but I would say to look for an IEM supporting a wide variety of Bluetooth codecs, like AAC, aptX. For a gamer, you really want aptX LL, supported by both the IEM and whatever is transmitting (I have a USB Bluetooth transmitter in my PC that supports aptX LL). Also, consider battery life... or don’t! Unless you literally wear IEMs all day long (which apparently isn’t good for you) for multiple days in a row where you won’t have access to recharge them, just a few hours should be plenty – all batteries run out, and for the non-prepared, fast charging features to get you going no matter how long the battery lasts. I wouldn’t buy most BT IEMs under $100. You’re buying an IEM with built-in Bluetooth, DSP, DAC, and Amp, and splitting $40 between all those parts — well, you get what you pay for. With high-budget IEMs, you probably would be better off with some of the high-res codecs like aptX, LDAC, and LHDC, and it’s fairly hard to hear an improvement over those. Other than those tips, the most important thing would be looking for reviews that describe the sound signature. Do you want something sharper or smoother? Heavier and warmer (more bass and low mid frequencies), or airier and colder (more soundstage, high frequencies)? I also suggest reading more than one review if possible and form a consensus, because the shape of the ear actually changes the sound, so what might be too sharp or fatiguing for one person might be just right for another. If they don’t describe the sound and just talk about how much they like or hate something... then they’re mostly trying to entertain you, and you probably shouldn’t rely on them too much unless you’ve tried a bunch of the headphones they reviewed and find yourself agreeing with them.
EvshrugAll good stuff, will add that depth of insertion can also effect ear canal resonances so if they are a bit bright or dull in the treble going with a larger tip and shallower insertion or smaller tip and deeper insertion may change your perception of the sound.
ElectronicVicesThanks @ElectronicVices! One more thing to add for future viewers of this discussion... one way to be sure you get wireless and a sound you like and can afford: get a separate Bluetooth Receiver. Yeah, you don’t get the super short signal path of a headphone with Bluetooth built-in, but you do get •All your wired headphones now get a Bluetooth option. •You can try different IEMs to find your preferred sonic “flavor.” •Bluetooth receivers are being developed and improved at a faster rate than IEMs and headphones... you can upgrade the receiver/DAC/Amp in a few years, but keep the IEMs for decades or get Custom IEMs (which usually don’t have built-in wireless options... and also our ears change enough that the molds usually are only good for 3-5 years).
jaydunndiddit
3262
Oct 19, 2019
ld100To piggy back off what the others are saying, Bluetooth amp/DACs & DAPs have come such a long way that unless you want a "no wire" experience, you have the capacity to add Bluetooth/wireless functionality to all your current gear. From something more budget friendly like the Radaone ES100 which supports LDAC, to something more powerful for over ear cans like the iFi xDSD, there are a plethora of options nowadays that are in my opinion more performant than dedicated Bluetooth headphones and IEMs. Both have pros and cons, but if you're pining for the absolute best sound quality while not being tethered to a desk or otherwise, a BT amp/DAC is a great value proposition.
jaydunndidditSecond the endorsement of the Radsone ES100... that device greatly changed my perception of what wireless/BT audio could be. I use mine most often with a Noble K10U and the difference between LDAC or AptX HD and wired is minimal.
ElectronicVicesOh, I don’t think I ever explicitly said it, but since the Sony ZX300A can act as a Bluetooth receiver (with some great high-quality codecs, and a good amp), I basically use this instead of the Radsone or Bluewave these days. Sounds really good!
EvshrugI do greatly enjoy the two way BT of more modern DAP's... I picked up a FiiO M6 a while back (almost exclusively for BT use) and love it. Not the fastest UI but given it's size and cost it's a hell of a combo. I use it primarily to feed BT speakers and as a BT receiver from my phone when not carrying the Radsone.
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